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Hybrid complexes of photosynthetic reaction centers and quantum dots in various matrices: resistance to UV irradiation and heating

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Abstract

The effects of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation (up to 0.6 J/cm2) and heating (65 °C, 20 min) on the absorption spectra and electron transfer in dehydrated film samples of photosynthetic reaction centers (RCs) from purple bacterium Rhodobacter (Rb.) sphaeroides, as well as in hybrid structures consisting of RCs and quantum dots (QDs), have been studied. The samples were placed in organic matrices containing the stabilizers of protein structure—polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and trehalose. UV irradiation led to partially irreversible oxidation of some RCs, as well as to transformation of some fraction of the bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) molecules into bacteriopheophytin (BPheo) molecules. In addition, UV irradiation causes degradation of some BChl molecules that is accompanied by formation of 3-acetyl-chlorophyll a molecules. Finally, UV irradiation destroys the RCs carotenoid molecules. The incorporation of RCs into organic matrices reduced pheophytinization. Trehalose was especially efficient in reducing the damage to the carotenoid and BChl molecules caused by UV irradiation. Hybrid films containing RC + QD were more stable to pheophytinization upon UV irradiation. However, the presence of QDs in films did not affect the processes of carotenoid destruction. The efficiency of the electronic excitation energy transfer from QD to P865 also did not change under UV irradiation. Heating led to dramatic destruction of the RCs structure and bacteriochlorins acquired the properties of unbound molecules. Trehalose provided strong protection against destruction of the RCs and hybrid (RC + QD) complexes.

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Abbreviations

RC:

Reaction center

QD:

Quantum dot

BChl:

Bacteriochlorophyll

BPheo:

Bacteriopheophytin

P865:

Photoactive dimer of BChl

UV:

Ultraviolet

PVA:

Polyvinyl alcohol

P865+ :

Photooxidized dimer of BChl

Q A and Q B :

Primary and secondary quinone acceptors

Rb. sphaeroides :

Purple bacteria Rhodobacter sphaeroides

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Project No. 15-29-01167).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biophysics, Biological Faculty of the M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia, 119991

    Peter P. Knox, Evgeny P. Lukashev, Vladimir V. Gorokhov, Nadezhda P. Grishanova & Vladimir Z. Paschenko

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  1. Peter P. Knox
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  2. Evgeny P. Lukashev
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  3. Vladimir V. Gorokhov
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  4. Nadezhda P. Grishanova
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  5. Vladimir Z. Paschenko
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Correspondence to Vladimir Z. Paschenko.

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Knox, P.P., Lukashev, E.P., Gorokhov, V.V. et al. Hybrid complexes of photosynthetic reaction centers and quantum dots in various matrices: resistance to UV irradiation and heating. Photosynth Res 139, 295–305 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11120-018-0529-5

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